Portland had nowhere to go but up after a 21-61 mark in 2005-06. But a couple of shrewd draft-day deals gave the Blazers hope, and the play of rookies Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Sergio Rodriguez put Portland in position to believe that its rebuilding efforts might be halfway home.

Entering this draft lottery, the Blazers are in a much different position than they were a year ago. There is no one position where there is a dramatic need. The Blazers would like to upgrade their small forward spot, where Ime Udoka, an unrestricted free agent, gave them a solid season. The Blazers will probably retain Udoka, but they would like to think that Darius Miles, returning from a year off, could be the answer there. If Jamaal Magloire departs through free agency, which is considered likely, the Blazers will need one more big for their developing rotation that includes Zach Randolph, Aldridge, Joel Przybilla and veteran Raef LaFrentz.

What the Blazers have accomplished in rebuilding to this point is tremendous. They need to continue to add to their talent base, but due to the acquisitions of Roy and Aldridge, they are no longer drafting out of desperation.